Sorting table



' MMIQL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. F. B. BOURNE. SORTING TABLE.

No. 578,199. Patented Mar. 2, 1897.

INVENTOR A TTORMEYS.

WITNESSES.

' (No Model.) I 2 Sheets- Sheet-Z.

E. F. B..BOURNE. SORTING TABLE.

No, 578,199. Patented Mar. 2, 1897.

WIT/ 8858 INVENTOI? A TTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES ATENT FFICEQ EDMOND F. B. BOURNE, OF VANCOUVER, CANADA.

SORTING-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 578,199, dated March 2,1897.

Application filed May 29, 1896.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDMOND F. B. BOURNE, of Vancouver, in the Provinceof British 00- lumbia and Dominion of Canada, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Sorting-Tables, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to tables used for the assorting of mail-matter,such as packages and newspapers; and the object is to provide a tablefor the purpose that will take comparatively little space and yetafford'opportunity or space for a considerable number of sorters, and,further, to provide a table in which the number of sorting-divisions maybe quickly and easily changed.

Iwill describe a sorting-table embodying my invention, and then pointout the novel features in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a plan View of a sorting-table embodying my invention. Fig.2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view ofthe table-top, and Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a receiving-boxemployed.

The table comprises a series of vertical dividing-walls, each consistingof a frame formed of metal rods or strong wires-viz. the outer Verticalrod 1, the inner vertical rod 2, the horizontal rod 3, connecting thelower portions of the rods 1 and 2, and the top connecting-rod 4. Theouter vertical rod is somewhat shorter than the inner vertical rod, andthe top rod is extended horizontally from the rod 1 to a point aboutmidway of the illner and outer rods. Then the top rod is extendedvertically, as at 5, and then horizontally to its connection with thevertical rod 2. These vertical portions 5 of the several top rods willform abutments for the inner circumference of a ring-shaped table-top,to be hereinafter described, and the bottom of said table-top will restupon the horizontal portions extending outward from the verticalportions of the top rods.

The lower ends of the rods 1 are extended below the bottom rod 3 and aredesigned to engage in sockets 6, formed in a floor or other base, andthe lower ends of the rods 2 are $erial No. 593,559. (No model.)

similarly extended to engage in a central socket 7 formed in the flooror other base. It

will be seen that all'the inner rods engage in the socket '7 and thatthe several dividingwalls radiate therefrom, making substantiallyV-shaped chambers opening outward. To

hold the upper portions of the inner rods to attached the edges of alight material 9, such as canvas or other textile. I have here shown itas attached by means of a locking-cord 10 passing around the rods andthrough eyelets in the edge of the fabric.

The table-top is here shown in the form of a ring made of textilematerial, and having a bottom portion 11, an outward and upwardperipheral flange 12, and an inner vertical flange 13, adapted to engagearound the vertical portions 5 of the rods 4. The inner circumference ofthe bottom portion of the top is secured to a wire hoop 14, the outercircumference of the bottom portion is secured to a wire hoop 15, andthe upper edge of the flange 12 is secured to a wire hoop 16. The hoops15 and 16 may be secured together by means of stay-wires 17, andstay-wires 18 may extend from the hoop 14 to the hoop 15.

Receiving boxes 19 are designed to be placed in the chambers formed bythe division-walls. These receiving-boxes conform substantially to theform of the chambers, or are triangular in form, as indicated in thedrawings. \Vithin the circumference of the table top flange 13 there areopen spaces through which assorted matter maybe thrown to thereceiving-boxes.

I have here shown eight divisions for the assortingtable; but it isobvious that the number may be lessened by removing the desired numberor walls or that the number may be increased by adding the requirednumber of walls.

A table embodying the invention described will be very light, so that itmay be easily transported from place to place, and as the several partsare collapsible or removable it is evident that the several parts may beclosely packed together when not required for use; but I do not limit myinvention to the collapsible feature, as a table of this general form ofconstruction, having its several parts rigidly secured together andpermanently attached to a floor, will come within the spirit of myinvention. Neither do I limit the invention to the particular form shownnor to the material from which the table is made.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. A sorting-table,comprising a ring-shaped tophaving inward and outward upwardlyextended flanges, a number ofradially-disposed supporting-walls, and means for removably securing theinner edges of said walls together, substantially as specified.

2. A sorting-table, comprising a top having an u'pwardlyextendedperipheral flange and a central opening, and a number ofradiallydisposed supporting-walls, each consisting of a metal frame anda cover of textile material, the lower ends of the inner and outer rodsof the frame being extended below the bottom rod for engagement insockets, substantially as specified.

8. A sortin g-table,comprisin g a ring-shaped top having inner and outerupwardly-extending flanges, radially disposed supportingwalls, eachcomprising a metal frame having projections at its lower end to engagein sockets, a securing device for the upper inner ends of the walls,textile material secured to the frames, and receiving boxes,substantially as specified.

EDMOND F. BOURNE.

Vi tnesses:

HENRY G. LYON, FRANK GRAEBING.

